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Emerald Flame (Flame #6)
Emerald Flame (Flame #6)
Caris Roane | 2017 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Emerald Flame (Flame #6) by Caris Roane
Emerald Flame is the sixth book in the Flame series by Caris Roane. We focus on Warren, Alpha of the Cordion pack, and Kiara, a witch who has worked closely with wolves in the past. In fact, she has set up a refuge centre for those that rescued from the various sex clubs. They spend time there, dealing with what has happened to them, and learning to fit in with pack life again. She likes Warren, Warren likes her, neither of them want anything long term. They are also working against Julio, who has taken over too many packs for their liking. When he attacks Ralph, a friend of both Warren and Kiara, things step up and the action kicks into gear.

This is a hot story, full of action and steaminess. With an alter wife thrown into the mix too, I wasn't sure where it would go, but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It is smoothly written, with one scene flowing nicely into the next. There were no editing or grammatical errors that jumped out at me whilst I was reading it. The characters are all fully believable and behave in a realistic way. This is a full-length novel, and it was nice to be able to sink my teeth into it properly. I would highly recommend this book, and this series, to all lovers of the paranormal genre.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel
Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel
A.W. Jantha | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
6.8 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Combined 2 stories in one.. the original and what happened 25 years later (0 more)
Part 2 dragged a little (0 more)
From a fan of Hocus Pocus movie … I loved this book!!!
Part 1 was just like the movie and well as I was reading, the movie played in my head … Who doesn't love a witch story during the month of October with Halloween around the corner?
There was one difference in that a 4th sister is introduced .. Elizabeth, who is written as the good sister!!!
Part 2 dragged a little but was an exciting twist on a continuation of the Sanderson Sisters and All Hallows Eve. It takes you to present time and introduces us to old characters from the first and original story line but adds new characters like Max's and Allison's daughter Poppy. It also added things relative to now such as the lingo and a lesbian crush.
This definitely was a great story line of finding a blood moonstone which is needed for a spell for eternal life. And the spell book makes an entrance in style with one of the characters being a descendant of a witch!!
The writing style was an easy read, characters were current and relatable to now from the technology to the way they talk and act.
Fanfiction is what I felt like I was reading and I liked that about this book!!!! A fun filled, magical read for Hocus Pocus lovers and readers who just want a fun entertaining book for Halloween and not blood and gore!!!
Was fun to enter the world of the Sanderson sisters once again!!!!
  
Highland Fling
Highland Fling
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I can't say there are many classic novels that I've really enjoyed, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book when I really focused on it. It is a comedy, and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't appreciate the humour as the book was originally published back in 1931. I will admit that I maybe didn't enjoy it as much as I could have, but I did quite like it and find it quite interesting.

It follows Albert Gates, an artist who has moved to Paris, as he accompanies friends to Dalloch Castle in the Scottish Highlands. He meets Jane there, and they bond while irritating the other guests to keep themselves amused. The friends of Albert's, Sally and Walter, have their own happenings both during the holiday and after returning home.

Albert opens an art exhibition that receives more attention than Jane anticipated, and Jane starts to panic. Is there a wedding on the horizon, or will Albert be going back to Paris alone?

This actually has some rather dramatic moments, including a fire that strikes in the night. The characters are all very different, such as the foreigner-hating General Murgatroyd (whom Albert takes great joy in winding up). At first, I really wasn't taken with this book. But when I sat and really read it, I actually did start to enjoy it.

I really don't read books like this usually, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it. But it is a good book, and I definitely recommend it for lovers of classics or similar genres to this. 3 to 3.5 stars.
  
A King Under Siege (The Plantagenet Legacy #1)
A King Under Siege (The Plantagenet Legacy #1)
Mercedes Rochelle | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A KING UNDER SIEGE is the first book in The Plantagenet Legacy and details Richard II and the circumstances around the beginning of his reign. Crowned at ten, he was reliant upon his advisors for a time, although the frustration he felt was clear when their advice was less than helpful. We also get to meet Anne of Bohemia, his first wife and great love. Together with those of Richard's inner court, we see how it could have been (and probably was) for people at that time.

Told as an amalgamation of fact and fiction, you get the story and history with comments and questions raised by an observer. It is clear that a lot of research has gone into this book.

Richard was the last of Plantagenet kings in the direct line and you see his relationship with Henry Bolingbroke -- the most direct descendant in the male line, as opposed to the then-heir presumptive -- as a fraught affair, with Henry not involving himself too deeply in the politics of the time, but having great impact upon Richard when he did.

This part of the story takes us through to 1388, ending with a hint of Richard regaining control in 1389.

A story that will definitely intrigue and interest lovers of both the Plantagenet era and the Tudor, as this shows the build-up to future events. Definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

 * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
40x40

Merissa (13958 KP) rated First in Books

Apr 8, 2026  
First
First
K.C. Wells | 2026 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FIRST is a standalone age-gap romance between Mike and Tommy. Mike is older and an established porn star. Tommy is younger, just finding his feet, and from a very religious family. This could have gone all kinds of ways wrong. Instead, you get a cinnamon roll-type book that touches on hard subjects with sensitivity.

There were so many good points to this book: the slow but steady start, the family vs. found family, friends, jobs, and age difference. All of it was handled brilliantly. Tommy and Mike are just a pair of guys that you want to squidge. They are so cute, especially together.

Of course, with Tommy's upbringing and Mike's job, you know what the angst is going to be about, but once again, I thought it was handled perfectly. I did choke slightly when Mike took Tommy to the studio, but what a perfect way to show it wasn't real! They had their future planned out (after a few bumps in the road), and I would have loved to have been with them as it came into reality, but that's just me being greedy.

There is a great supporting cast of characters, from colleagues to old lovers and new adoptive moms, all adding to the story. This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed, which kept me turning the pages. Definitely recommended by me.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 8, 2026
  
Last Thrall of Asgard (Lovers of the Gods #2)
Last Thrall of Asgard (Lovers of the Gods #2)
Amanda Meuwissen | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LAST THRALL OF ASGARD is the second book in the Lovers of the Gods series, but the first one I have read. This is a complete standalone, so you don't need to have read the first one to enjoy this one.

Oli is a thrall, used for 'pleasure' by his owner. He finds out he is being sold to a neighbour, which his master doesn't have a problem with. It is after Oli finds this out that he curses the old gods while cleaning an altar. Maybe not the best idea. Anyway, Loki comes along, whisks him away, and tells him he can earn his freedom by doing what he does best for other gods. What follows is a fun frolic through the realms of Yggdrasil, with each chapter being a different god and different troubles and kinks!

This was a thoroughly enjoyable story as Oli learnt about himself at the same time as helping others. It wasn't just s3x though. The moments between Oli and Loki were perfect, with their back-and-forth flirting and anger, putting their foot in it, and general chaos and mayhem. Saying all that, the epilogue was all the warm fuzzies you could wish for.

A great story that I definitely recommend, and I hope to return to the series soon. I already know I love this author's writing. This book just confirms it once again.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 15, 2025
  
Cold As The Grave
Cold As The Grave
James Oswald | 2019 | Crime, Paranormal, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A treat for crime fiction lovers
This is a treat for crime fiction lovers with a bit of the supernatural thrown in for good measure. Mr Oswald knows how to write a great story and he has done it once again with "Cold as the Grave".

DCI Tony McLean finds himself, quite unexpectedly, in the midst of a strange and disturbing investigation following his discovery of the mummified remains of a young girl. Being a DCI, Tony is not supposed to get into the day to day investigation of crime however, Tony being Tony just can't help himself and he quickly becomes in the thick of it.

This is a dark and sinister case to investigate and includes themes on refugees, asylum seekers, illegal immigrants, trafficking, modern slavery, the murder of children and violence towards women as well as introducing a less than "normal" slant on the perpetrator of the crime and the method used for committing murder.

With fantastic characters throughout and written in a sympathetic rather than sensationalist way with the back drop of a winter in Edinburgh, this is a great read.

I admit to not having read all the previous books in this series and although I have probably missed out massively on back story, character development, etc., it did not detract from my enjoyment of this book.

On to the next .... when it comes out!

My thanks must go to the Publisher and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.